National qualifications frameworks gaining momentum across Europe

Europeans have now better prospects when it comes to employability, mobility and access to further education. The 2017 revision of the European qualifications framework for lifelong learning (EQF), a reference tool making national qualifications more readable across Europe, has stepped up its implementation across countries, systems and institutions.

Cedefop has played an important role in devising the EQF and in monitoring and supporting the development of national qualification frameworks (NQFs). The agency cooperates closely with the European Commission, EU Member States, various third countries, social partners and many other stakeholders to help ensure consistent, transparent and coordinated referencing of the NQFs to the EQF. The frameworks’ systematic use of learning outcomes promotes transparency and comparability of qualifications across countries and systems. Steady progress means that imagining European education and training systems without the frameworks has become impossible.

Thirty nine European countries are currently developing 43 national qualifications frameworks, which have reached different stages of implementation. For further information on how countries are performing check out Cedefop’s new briefing note.